a new start.

[everymom]

How beautiful is that??? I would have wanted to take a picture too = ] I'm so happy for both of you, I can imagine your joy and pride. Tell him his Aunties are very proud.
Blessings
Linda

[wendy tyler]

What a beautiful thought....I still love what you wrote about sneezing, and his voice from his room saying 'Bless you' Keep 'um coming Deb, we are living vicariously through you right now!

[justadeb]

well the first few days of the rest of my sons life has gone very well.... my joy is wakeing up early ..to drive my son to school..he claims he doesn't know his bus number yet... i bet it is sooooo hard to find out....and i am not complaining about the driving him to and picking him up from school... i drove hours every week to see him...so far... he has had his Cuban sandwich stop twice this week..... he has adjusted very well.....one boy that he used to hang out with had tried to get a message to him..and he sent message back to him....told him to stay the h*** away from him .. as long as he was still hanging out with certain people ... proud mom moment....he has scored 4 girls phone numbers first day ....he had one moment ..of anger.....and he felt better after .....many kids are telling him welcome back now don't do it again.....we have shared a few tears.....of joy... when we realize how lucky we are... i told him the angels have some thing special in mind for him.... he said i know mom....
oh and this weekend i am asking his po if he can leave county to go to his fav mexican place....

[reggie42]

Can I go??? Please???? I can't eat much so I'll be cheap! Oh, that sounds wrong....LOL I'm sooooo glad he's back in school and getting to be a regular teenager! (oh, but I feel for you, heehee).......really though...your so right. God has special plans for him....ENJOY!!!!! (have one of those margarita's for me, drool).....

[Meowth84]

I'm so happy for you and your son. Thank you for sharing. It's almost as if we are right there with you. It gives me hope that I will get the same soon. I've learned from this nightmare that even the little things that you get to do with your kids are special, it doesn't just have to be holidays or vacations. I look forward to anytime that I can have with my son when he gets out. Reggie is right God does have plans for all our children, this is what keeps me moving forward.

Hugs,
Julie

[txnanaof6]

I just read your post and am so so so so HAPPY for you!!!!!!YAY!!!!!!

[justadeb]

lets see if i can explain some of the things that i have noticed about my son since he has been home.....his belongings mean allot!!! to him right now.. having nice clothes..and sneakers.....and being really fanatical about them being pressed and spotless.... someone stepped on his new sneakers....and he said he almost lost it....sh**!!
.. ok i had the speech.... um we can afford to buy new ones... or bring those to the old shoe repair man to clean em up.... that having to pay another attorney will not happen...
On Saturday morning i was up early and i heard a loud BANG ... i went to sons room... he said i am ok it was just a jail thing... seems he punched the wall in his sleep.....yes there is a small hole in wall..
we are looking to sign him up for mixed marital arts....class as soon as his 6 pm curfew is up.... so may be he can express some of this anger...... with guidance.............so far his po has pretty much missed every sunday visit.. and instead of pulling my son out of lunch... for last weeks school visit... he said ok let him be.. he's good...my son is makeing his check in calls... and is not pushing the subject of where are ya... he said mom i am not makeing those statements on this guys... state phone..don't want him to get into trouble......lol....
day by day....

[reggie42]

Thanks Deb for the update...he has some work in not only is he a teenager, but he has this jail thing, to now add to it all. How about one of those punching bags? Heck even my oldest son has one of those, and he goes to town on it, when he's stressed out.... hmmm, think I'll look into one for John, LOL. Though he hasn't shown any aggression yet,.... I'm waiting...

[mahkenna]

Wow Deb he is going to be fine! He has more in control that I think you know. He seems to have an awareness about his freedom and the place where he does NOT want to be a return customer!

Lots of adjustments right now but it sounds like you two are working it out. Martial arts would be great for him...good idea (smart mom). It will take a little time for the "inmate" stuff to wear off and your son to get back to his true (new and improved) self!

He has matured a lot in some ways though still growing in others. Though he will not forget where he has been, he will eventually let go of the pain, fear, and the thought of being there. "There's no place like Home" and to have a Mom who is supportive, loving, and can lay the smack down when he needs it.... that's the best thing for him now.

He's a good kid who LOVES his Mom. I know how proud you are of him and that is a wonderful thing. You guys are gonna be just fine!

PS....I like chips with extra salt and guacamole!!!!! Yummers! Doggie bag for me please! They do take out right?

[sadmother1]

I know I'm late to this thread, but I want to say that I'm so happy for you and your son that he's home again and seems to be doing great! It's hard being 17, but it sounds like he's matured while away and has learned a lesson. Deb, you appear to be a wonderful mom, and I know he appreciates your support so much.

Hugs to both of you!

[justadeb]

this morning as i drove my son to school....i asked about one of his old freinds..if he would be comeing to our house....to hang out....they have been haveing lunch....together again.....he said no mom..his parents will not let him be around me....now this is a family that my son went to church with...who i thought....knew my son.. befor he messed up......my son said mom it's ok i see him in school........and i said yes and soon he will be 18.....and free to make his owne judgements..........i have been crying....because i know this is only one of many people who will judge my son...
i also spent time in court..this week.. the co-defendant....had his day..... his lies and tactics of claiming ignorance and placeing blame...did not work.... he will be sentanced in 30 days...now i am NOT feeling vindicated.... but i feel sad...because they had the same offer as my son.....we faced the truth....my son did his time...and now he will.. move on.....and this other family has spent tons of money....lived in denial..for a year....only to end up with the same results......and then they gave me evil stares and said nasty things about me.... wait a minuet.....i never told there son to drive his car to commit this crime............how am i to be blamed...?
i don't wish them i'll will..and will even be there to help the mother deal if she chooses to reach out to me ...........still...........
my sons lesson here is....honor ...integrity.....honesty...dose get better results..then lies...blame.....and anger towards others....

[reggie42]

The tragedy of those who judge....is they are usually the ones... with the most skeletons in their closets.

[TOROSE]

The most important thing deb, is that your son,and you know who he is and what he is all about, he owes NOONE, any explanations! obviouslly, his friend knows your son did wrong, he paid the price, and it's over...his friend sounds like he is more matured than his parents...there will always be some judgemental people in this world, but the only one that we have to answer to is Our God. You are moving forward, so is your son, don't allow ANYONE or ANYTHING pull you back or hold you from moving forward from your joy, and the freedom that you both have once again, everything else should not matter, stay focused on the Blessings, God has given you. This boys parent, don't understand, that the tables could have been reversed, and obviosly they have not grown in the Lord for them to be so judgemental toward your son..
"THE JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH"

[meg'smom]

Oh Deb,
I wish i had words of encouragement right now but the truth is I am messed up dealing with everything here. I am so sorry you are hurting and that your son is dealing with that. People suck sometimes. More so the ones who have never been where you are.
You are so much of a better person for wanting to support to other family even though they have been nasty to you. Hugs to you

[Susan W]

Dear Debbie,
I am so happy for you, every time one of our boys comes home I rejoice and so does our Lord. Keep us updated on how things are going. Stay patient and remember one day at a time, it will get better.
Love,
Susan W

[Susan W]

P.S. I also wanted to say I am so thankful that we have a merciful God that does not judge us the way people do. He is the only one we have to answer to. Remember that. Love you!!!!!!!!!!

[Susan W]

P.S. Just wanted to say I am so thankful that we have a merciful God who does not judge us the way people do, Jesus paid the penalty for our sins. He is the only one we answer to, remember that and let your son know that too.
Love you.

[mlgrjs]

It is so sad that human beings are so psychicly weak, but as a species, we are. Only those who have never done this dance or known anyone who as done this dance is free to make cruel judgments without awareness of the wrongfulness of doing so.

I don't know where and there are many here who do, but didn't Jesus tell us something about not judging? And why is it so hard for some who claim to know Jesus's teachings to see that they do not practice what they claim to believe? What allows us to be so arrogant and self-absorbed that we don't even know when we have it all wrong?

Pay the fools no due Deb. You are a proud mama and well-deserved and your son has learned so much of what he needs to know to live a good and happy life. Given the depth of the lessons, he is a lucky young man child to be able to walk almost directly back into the life he left when he started to stray.

Each day he becomes stronger and more the man you want him to be. Bless you Mama; your strength is as deep as Jesus' love.

[mahkenna]

Deb hold your head up and know you did a great job with your son unlike your Co-defendant's mom who came over to ask you to lie in court!!!!!!

You have nothing to be ashamed of and your son has done his time. The good news is...it's over and you can get on with your life!!!!! Your son has a brand new start and he is going to do GREAT.

I think it is kind of you to feel sorry for them. I do too...they have not learned a thing and that boy (and family) are in denial and will end up repeating this or something worse all over again!

I see dumb people! No wait..
I see dense people...No that's not it...
I see deaf people, no ummm, oh I got it..
I see people floatin' down De Nile, who need a good swift kick in the ass..sets before they get the big picture...Yeah that's it!

[justadeb]

my son is not one bad choice he made..he is all the good choices he makes now....
my son is not a bad influence... if any thing he is a leader and teacher because of what he has been threw....
my son....is not where he was.....he is what he did ....where he was....
adversity builds character...... ....hes become quite the character....
he holds this experience in his pocket always...being able to pull it out from time to time.....and use it for strength........
i told my son the other day.. as we drove past a memorial set up for a teen girl....if i was given a choice.......that he stepped into someone Else's car an committed a dumb crime and lived ..or stepped into a car with a drunk driver....and was killed..or hurt...i would pick what he was dealt...... because while he was in that was the fate of 5 of his friends

[everymom]

This is beautiful to read. What you share is heartwarming and inspiring. It sounds like your son has grown from his experience, and is moving onward and upward.
Your mothers love and pride rings out, in your words. You are very blessed to have each other.
ENJOY = ]
Linda